mCommerce: Mobile commerce – or M-commerce – is the fastest growing area of retail. Retailers are scrambling to catch up with the rapid growth of smartphones and how they’re changing the way we shop. About quarter of consumers have used their smartphone to access websites while out shopping. Tesco (Home Plus) reckon they’ve got a captive audience to try out their latest technology at Gatwick’s North Terminal. It’s also one of the busiest times of the year with tens of thousands of passengers with a lot of time to kill between flights.

“We don’t think it’s a gimmick – it’s a taste of the future,” says Mandy Minichiello, marketing manager for Tesco.com. “In 2016, about 90% of all mobiles will be smartphones. Tesco virtual shopping mobile app. A mobile app scans the QR CODE and orders the selected items. “We’re doing this as a trial to try to get some customer feedback. We’re keen to make customers lives as easy as possible. “Increasingly, they want to shop on the go.”

Tesco was a pioneer of internet retailing and has more than a million online customers. They’ve also done a similar experiment in South Korea, where commuters pointed their mobile phones at billboards in subways and bus stops. These have become a permanent fixture.

The UK trial goes further with an interactive feature. “It’s significant they’re doing this before other mainstream retailers have got in on the act,” says Neil Saunders, managing director with retail consultancy Conlumino. “It shows that Tesco are determined to make a success in the mobile retail environment and the potential for growth.”

Changing fast – Other retailers will be watching closely. According to mobile retail strategy consultancy Velti, the industry is changing fast. Tesco virtual shopping: Tesco insist the idea is not just a gimmick. “Retailers are struggling to keep up,” says Matt Cockett, vice president of sales at the company. “A mobile strategy is key for any retailer because the revenue has more than doubled in the past 12 months.

“Mobile investment is about how you develop a strategy and manage to take advantage of the oncoming rapid changes in technology. He added: “The Holy Grail is to connect the data touch points and to get a comprehensive view of each individual customer. “Retailers need to consider all touch points that drive mobile traffic to support online, mobile and in-store, and ultimately increase conversion rate.” Retail is increasingly all about making it as easy and convenient as possible for consumers to part with their cash.

Perhaps it won’t be too long before the Tesco experiment will come to a bus stop or train station near you.

Here are some innovative ideas that bridge the gap between Brick & Mortar and Click & Mortar.

Automaker Renault used the innovative “Facebook Pillars”.

Simple, Innovative and Fun

AutoRAI Motorshow is an automotive event in the Amsterdam, Netherlands, and featured brands such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. How to get competitive advantage? Renault cars were accompanied by especially designed Facebook pillars. The 2,50,000 visitors to the show were invited to collect their free Renault RFID micro-chip embedded cards from the Renault stand, which they could then link to their Facebook profile. Once the card had been linked, simply swiping it in front a car’s pillar would count as a Facebook “Like”, posting a link to that car on the card bearer’s profile, as shown in the video above.

Here is an idea # 2

Innovative ways the offline world is making the most of the online world

C&A a Brazilian fashion retailer, has an IT enabled idea to bring customers’ Facebook approval into full view in its real-world stores. It has posted photos of a number of the clothing items it sells on a dedicated Facebook Page, where it invites customers to “Like” the ones that appeal to them. Special hangers on the racks in its bricks-&-mortar store display those votes in real-time, giving shoppers a clear indication of each item’s online popularity.

For more information regarding comprehensive overview of an entire market, click here to view Brand Analyses, Facebook Page Like, and Facebook Talking About figures………in the real-time!

Do you think innovations, such as above examples, will become more and more common? Can you afford to be left behind? We will appreciate your comments, shares and of course Likes.

Unfortunately, the budget signed by the American Governor Malloy contains a sales tax provision that compels Amazon to terminate referral program for Connecticut-based participants effective immediately. It specifically imposes the collection of TAXES from consumers on sales by online retailers – including but not limited to those referred by Connecticut-based affiliates – even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state. New tax law is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside Connecticut, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. When the Government interest interferes business, business will go elsewhere.

Amazon is the most successful online E-commerce company in the world. Amazon is the King of e-Commerce business. A $34 billion online empire made of click & mortar. It is just the beginning. Amazon is one of the most admired companies in the world.

When a business buys from another business it is called Business-to-Business (B2B) online shopping. Both B2C and B2B online shopping are forms of e-commerce. Amazon.com is B2C site where consumers are buying directly from the business (manufacturer).

Some fast facts about #1 retailer in the world:

An online shop, eshop, e-store, internet shop, webshop, webstore, online store, or virtual store evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a bricks-and-mortar retailer or in a shopping mall. The process is called Business-to-Consumer (B2C) online shopping.

Amazon Prime offers FREE shipping (for a ~ $79 yearly fee) is a hit with consumers that gives Amazon repeat sales across its many categories.

Amazon has ~ 33,700 employees. Amazon was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos as an online book store has now become the internet’s largest retailer. Please click on any of the link below to enter the official website of Amazon.

According to amazon management email: “As a result of the new law, contracts with all Connecticut residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated today, June 10, 2011. Those Connecticut residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, or SmallParts.com”.

Do you think this kind of development is good for online business in general and in particular for the Amazon associates? Your comments will be appreciated.

Social Media Business EvangelistJyotindra Zaveri (a.k.a. Jyoti) is a senior Social Media Marketing Consultant and TrainerIT professional since ...1975 with academic credentials in electronics and electrical engineering from VJTI, Mumbai, India. Formerly worked in IBM, trained in Germany. BUSINESS INFO:1. Organizations outsource their Social Media Marketing […]

Crossword Puzzle focusing on Digital MarketingAnswer Social media crossword puzzle answerCluesAcross2. Leading Social media agency (5,6) (Tip Jyoti Social)5. What not to do frequently on Social Media? (4,7)6. Distribute brochures electronically (10)8. The number one digital platform (8)10. Digital marketing where money is (9) (Tip Mobile)11. Sr Social Media […]

Crossword Puzzle focusing on Digital Marketing. Please try to solve and give your answers in the Comment or by Messenger! Clues:Across2. Leading Social media agency (5,6) (Tip Jyoti Social)5. What not to do frequently on Social Media? (4,7)6. Distribute brochures electronically (10)8. The number one digital platform (8)10. Digital marketing where money is (9 […]